Falls

Hiya, my mom had a fall recently, her leg just gave way as she’s losing muscle & strength from not eating or moving as much.

I’ve suggested a call bell system that comes in a watch form but mom doesn’t want that yet. We have a stair lift plus we have walkers up & downstairs so when she’s walking between rooms she’s supported. It’s been tough as mom doesn’t want them but it’s a bit of peace of mind & she is using them now they’re in the house.

We’ve just had to privately buy some of this stuff I don’t know if you can do the same but it’s also dependent on whether your husband is ready to use them mentally. x

Hi

Really sorry to hear this about your husband.  My Mum died two weeks ago tomorrow (but I still come back to these forums as they gave me so much help during her final three months). We knew that she was terminally ill - very weak, eating little but still able to get around with the help of walkers etc. But she had a fall in the bathroom one morning, was taken to hospital and never came out again. I feel the fall (and the trauma that went along with a ten-hour wait for an ambulance) brought on a rapid deterioration in her condition. Otherwise she would have stayed at home and passed peacefully. 

I thought I had everything in place for such a scenario (I was working in London that day - but had care visits arranged so a carer found her). She had an Apple Watch that would alert me if she fell but she had left it on charge. We had a stair lift due to be installed two days after she went into hospital. 

Like LauraB's Mum, my Mum didn't want any aids but eventually accepted them - she was persuaded on the basis that it made my caring role easier. The hospice nurse (do contact your local hospice for support as I found them most helpful and opened doors which were previously closed to me) arranged a broad array of equipment for Mum but we were funding the stair lift ourselves. 

I've struggled to come to terms with the fact that I wasn't there when Mum fell so I understand your worries about leaving your husband alone. All I can say is reach out for as much support as you possibly can to avoid him falling at all costs. I found you often have to make a fuss and keep plugging away with your requests. It was only when the hospice got involved that I felt I had any help at all. 

Wishing you all the best at this difficult time.